Machine for filling containers



Jan, 1&1,

C. M. WEBER MACHINE FOR FILLING CONTAINERS I Filed Dec. 28, 1928 ll Sheets-Sheet l jan. 10, 193. c. M. WEBER MACHINE FOR FILLXNG' CONTAINERS File 28. 1928 ll Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY5 Jan. 10, 1933. c. M. WEBER MACHINE FOR FILLING CONTAINERS 11 Sheets-Sheet Filed Dec. 28. 1928 ZSATTORNEYS Jan. 10, 1933. c. M. WEBER 1,893,831

MACHINE FOR FILLING CONTAINERS Filed Dec. 28, 1928 ll Sheets-Sheet 4 .Fan. 10, 1933. c. M. WEBER MACHINE FOR FILLING CONTAINERS Filed Dec. 28. 1928 ll Sheets-Sheet 5 425 ATTORNEYS Jan. 10, 1933. c WE MACHINE FOR FILLING CONTAINERS Filed Dec. 28, 1928 ll Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR LMWEZG?" m LL Jan. 10, 1933. c. M. WEBER MACHINE F0". FILLING CONTAINERS Filed Dec. 28, 1928 11 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTQR gZZrQZZWJZc 7 25 ATTORNEYS Jan. 10, 1933. c. M. WEBER MACHINE FOR FILLING CONTAINERS Filed D86. 2a. 1928 ll Sheets-Sheet 8 %L5 ATTORNEYS Jam 1933- c. M. WEBER 1,893,831

MACHINE FOR FILLING CONTAINERS Filed Dec. 28, 1928 ll Sheets-Sheet 9 Jan. 10, 1933. c. M. WEBER MACHINE FOR FILLING CONTAINERS Filed Dec. 28, 1928 ll Sheets-Sheet 1O INENTQRW Cla r 567 tg ATToRwEYs Jan. 16, 1933. c, WEBER MACHINE FOR FILLING CONTAINERS Filed Dec. 28, 1928 ll Sheets-Sheet ll thy k w INVENIQB.

' Z5 ATTORNEYS Patented cFan. m. 3933 UARL M. wnnm, OF ROCHESTER, NEW "20 ASSIGNOE TO 1*.

at near MACHINE CORPO- BATION, 0F BOCH$TER NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK MAUHINE FOE FILLING CGNTAINEBS application filed December 28, 192%. Serial No. 328,942.

The present invention relates to machines for filling containers and has for its object to provide an improved machine of this class which is comparatively simple'in construction, efficient in service, convenient to operate and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a machine of the present type improved means for transferring to the cans or other containers the materials to be supplied thereto.

A further object is to provide improved means arranged to be controlled by an unfilled can or container wh n the latter is at a predetermined point within the machine whereby the driving mechanism for the material transfer mechanism is permitted to operate but whereby without the presence of the can at said point said means will operate to disconnect the driving mechanism so that the transfer means will fail to operate.

A further object of the invention is to provide a driving clutch for the transfer mechanism, together with control means for the clutch designed to effect disengagement of the same should a can or other container fail to enter the machine at a predetermined point, in combination with means by which subsequent movement of a can toward said point will efiect the resetting of the clutch to operative position.

A further object of the invention is to pro vide improved means for insuring the discharge of the materials from a hopper or other holding receptacle to the transfer mechanism for delivering the materials to the cans.

A still further object of the invention is to provide improved means forpaclring or compressing the materials within the cans or containers to be filled.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for regulating or var ing the quantity of the material to be trans ferred from the hopper or supply source to the individual cans or containers to be fiiled.

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combina tions of parts, all as will be hereinafter more dog or spring fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevation of a machine embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary part sectional elevation of the clutch control mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the machine with the can deliverin chute omitted;

Fig. i is a sife elevation of the machine as viewed from the right of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a part sectional elevation taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a plan view taken substantially on line {S -6* of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged side elevation of the base of the machine, as viewed from the left of Fig. 6, showing the driving mechanism for the various movable parts;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional elevation through the measuring and transfer cylinders taken substantially on line 8 -45 of Fig. i;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged part sectional elevation taken substantialyon line 9 -9 of Fig. 5, showing a portion of the can positioning mechanism;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary side elevation of the can positioning mechanism with the clutch shifting dog arranged to effect release of the clutch;

Fig. 11 is a similar View showing the dog so positioned by the can as to permit the clutch to remain in operating position;

Fig. 12 is a detailed sectional View taken on line l2"12 of Fig. 10 showing the spring pressed driving pin for the can positioning element;

Fig. 13 is a. plan view of the can positioning means showing the clutch resetting arm in dotted line position for movement by a can advanced by the positioning element;

Fig. 1a is a. similar view showing a can advanced to a point at which it has effected resetting of the arm;

Fig. l5.is a fragmentary plan showing the pressed trip element in engagement with the upper end of the clutch release lever;

Fig. 16 is a similar view in which the dog has been moved by the can to clear the clutch release lever whereby to avoid releasing of the clutch;

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary side elevation of the clutch in coupled position;

Fi 18 is a sectional elevation showing the packing plunger in position to exert the desired pressure upon the contents of the can, and

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary sectional elevation showing the manner of supporting the circular guide rail for the cans when they are being moved to and from the filling station.

Similar reference numerals throughout the several views indicate the same parts.

The present invention comprises a machine for use in connection with the canning of fruits, vegetables and the like and is particularly designed for measuring and transferring the materials from a source of supply to cans or other containers which are receive from a chute and advanced by the machine itself to and from filling position. While the invention embodies a machine particularly adapted for the purpose stated, it may also be used in the measuring, transferring and packing of materials other than those of a liquid or semi'liquid nature, as will be readily understood upon further consideration of its construction and operation.

The machine includes generally a frame or base on which is supported a hopper or any suitable holder for the materials, beneath which is a plurality of measuring cylinders or receptacles arranged to be successively positioned. in registry with the hopper outlet and which are rotated step by step upon a stationary table. The table has a discharge opening beneath which the cans are successively presented for the reception of the contents of the measuring cylinders as they are brought into registry with said opening. The cans are moved from the filling station step ,by step and subsequently, at a different station, a piston-like plunger is operated to exert pressure on the contents of the can to insure proper packing of the materials therein. The cans are then discharged upon a rotary receiving table from which they may be removed by any suitable means.

The rotary feeder for successively delivering the cans beneath the discharge opening of the stationary table is provided in the present instance with live receiving pockets or openings into which the cans are fed by a rotary positioning member having preferably a single pocket or recess for receiving the unfilled cans from a chute or guideway into which they are loaded. The positioning member, since it only presents one can at a time to the rotar feeder, is timed to have five revolutions f dr each revolution of the feeder.

Means is provided whereby if a can fail to enter the pocket of the positioning memher for any given. revolution thereof, the driving clutch for the transfer cylinders will be rendered ineffective and consequently the contents of the hopper will not be permitted to discharge therefrom although the rotary can feeder may continue to operate to discharge the cans held therein to the rotary receiving table.

Referring to the drawings, 10 represents a frame or base which is preferably in the form of a table supported by a suitable number of legs or frame members 11. Extending upwardly from the base is a standard 12 on the upper end of which is adjustably supported a laterally extendin arm or bracket 13 which is preferably sleeve upon and secured to the standard, as shown in Fig. 5. The bracket is rigidly connected with a flared portion 14: of a tubular outlet member 15 for the hopper-like receptacle or holder 16 in which the material to be supplied to the cans is placed, the bottom of the hopper being suitably secured within the flared portion 14 of said tubular member. A split collar 17 is adjustable longitudinally upon the tubular outlet member and is secured thereon by means of a clamping screw 18 extending through a pair of lugs 19 on the collar, the latter having at its lower end an outwardly turned flange 20 for a purpose hereinafter described.

The means for measuring and transferring the materials from the hopper to the cans com rises a plurality of race tacles, each pre erably including a pair of te escoping upper and lower sections 21 and 22 respectively, as best shown in Fi 8. The sections are preferably cylindricaTin form, the upper sections having their outer ends suitably secured in openings formed in a rotary plate 23 which moves in engagement with the bearing flange 20 of the adjustable collar 17, Fig. 5. The lower ends of the bottom sections 22 are disposed within openings formed in a rotary plate 24: in which they are rigidly held for rotation with said plate. The plate 2a is adapted to rotate upon a table or base plate 25 secured on the upper end of a hollow standard 26 projecting upwardly from the base 10. Rotation of the measuring cylinders uopn the table 25 is effected by a shaft 27 journalled in a bearing 28 at the upper end of the standard and also in a bearing 29 extending from the standard beneath the base 10, as shown in Fig. 5.

The cylinder carrying late 24 is connected with and driven by the s iaft 27 through the medium of a collar 30 secured upon the shaft and to the plate .by a suitable number of screws as shown in ig. 8.

Adjustment of the cylinder sections 21 longitudinally of the sections 22 to regulate or vary the quantity of material to be transferred to the cans or containers is effected by turning a nut 31 threaded on the upper end of the shaft 27. The nut rotates in engagement with a bearing collar 32 suitably secured to the plate 23 through which the shaft 27 extends. The nut, while free to rotate upon the collar, is coupled therewith by an annular member 33 having a portion 33 projecting into a groove formed in the nut. From this construction, it will be seen that by rotation of the nut the cylinder sections 21 may be moved inwardly or outwardly with respect to the sections 22whereby the amount of material to be supplied to the individual cans may be increased or decreased as desired, depending on the size of the cans or on the nature of the material to be packed or sorted therein. Before adjusting the cylinder sections 21 the clamping screw 18 of the tubular member 17 will be loosened to permit the latter to slide longitudinally upon the hopper extension 15 and the flange20 will be held in close contact with the plate 23 to afford a substantially liquid tight joint between these parts in all positions of adjustment thereof.

The table or base plate 25 is provided with an opening 3% in the path of the measuring cylinders and through which the material 15 discharged to the cans, which are successively brought into registry with said opening by a rotary can feeder, best shown} in Figs. 3 and a. This device is carried by a vertically disposed shaft 35 andcomprises upper and lower disks or plates 36 and 37, each preferably having five can receiving openings or pockets formed in its peripheral edge, said plates being suitably connected with the shaft 35 for rotation thereby. A spacing element 38, Fig.

5, is interposed between the plates to maintain them at the proper distance apart. A sleeve 37 surrounds the shaft 35 above the plate 36 and is preferably formed integral with the latter. The sleeve is flanged at 39 to form a support for a horizbntally disposed disk it) having five depending annular guide and overflow tubes 41 for directing the measured quantities of material from the cylinder sections 22 into the cans 42 as the latter are advanced successively into position beneath the outlet 34 of the table 25.

The cans during advancement by the retary feeder are adapted to travel upon a semicircular plate 38*, the outline of which is indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 3, said plate being suitably secured upon the base 10. The upper surface of the plate is inclined to the horizontal as indicated at 39 in order to cause the cans to be gradually elevated while approaching the station at which the packin plunger is operated through the guide and overflow tubes ll into the cans, as shown in Fig. 18. The purpose of raising the can to this position is to insure a relatively close fit between its upper end and the lower edge of the guide tube, whereby to prevent the loss of materials by overflow and discharge between the can and the tube should the descent of the plunger cause the liquid or semiliquid material to rise above the top of the can.

The cans are held within the pockets of the rotary feeder by a semi-circular strip 40 supported by a plurality of brackets 41* suitably secured to the base 10.

The guide and overflow tubes 41 overlie and are always in registry with the pockets of the can advancing disks 36 and 37, which are rotated with the tubes as a unit by the shaft 35. The shaft extends through a sleeve 43 projecting above and below the base 10 and having a flange 44: resting thereon. Thesleeve carries upper and lower bearings 45 and 46 for the shaft, as best shown in Fig. 7. The shaft is operated by an indexing mechanism comprising a ratchet wheel 47 fixed to the shaft at the base of the sleeve 43 and operated by a spring pressed pawl 48 on an operating lever 49 free to oscillate about the axis of the shaft on a bearing 50, having an enlarged portion 51, the upper face of which forms a seat for the lever, Fig. 7. The bearing is supported by a collar 52 secured upon the shaft in any suitable manner.

The indexing lever is operated by a link 53 having one end pivotally connected therewith and the other pivotally connected with an arm 54 on the upper end of a vertically disposed shaft 55, Fig. 7. The shaft is journalled in upper and lower bearings 56 and 57 suitably secured upon transverse bars or one of the base supporting frame members 11.

A sprocket 59 is secured upon the shaft 55 and rests on the upper end ofthe bearing 58, the sprocket serving to drive a cha'n 6O engaging a second sprocket 61 on a. shaft 62 .for driving a can positioning member 63. the operation of which will be subsequently described. Shaft 55 carries a bevel gear at meshing with a similar gear 65 on a horizontal shaft 66 journalled in brackets 67 and 68 depending from the base 10, as best shown in F ig. 7.

Shaft 55 also carries a gear 69 meshing with a gear 70 on the bottom of a shaft 71 upon the upper end of which is secured a disk or table 72 for receiving the cans after they have been filled and discharged from the rotary feeder past a leaf spring 72 suitably supported, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3,

for steadyingi and holding the cans centrally beneath the packing plunger head, Fig. 18. The spring is sulliciently flexible to be readily moved to release position by the can when the latter is being discharged onto the receiving table 72. The shaft 71 is journalled in suitable bearings carried by a bracket 73 at one side of the base. The horizontal shaft66 carries a gear 74 driven by a pinion 75 on a main drive shaft 76 hav'ng a driving pulley 7 7 which may be connected with and driven by any suitable source of power.

The main drive shaft is journalled at one end in a bearing 78 secured to the base 10 and is supported adjacent the other end in a hearing 7 9 carried by the bracket 67, Fig. 7. The gear 7 4 drives shaft 66 and is connected therewith by a disk secured on shaft 66, the connection being made by one or more driving pins 81, which, under an excess load, will be sheared off, thus preventing rupture of the gears 74 and 75 and other parts of the driving mechanism.

The driving means for the shaft 27 which drives the transfer and measuring cylinders includes a gear 82 on the lower end of said shaft, the latter being journalled in a hearing portion 83 depending from the standard 26 resting upon the base 10, Fig. 7. Gear 82 is driven by a larger gear 81 having a hub portion 85 loosely 1ournalled upon the lower end of the rotary feeder shaft 35 and supported by a collar 86 secured upon the shaft. The gear 84 is clutch driven in a manner hereinafter described.

The plunger head 87 for packing or compressing the contents 12 of the can 42 is of a diameter closely approaching that of the inside diameter of the can and guide tube 41, Fig. 18. The head is made cone-shaped to permit the downward discharge into the can of materials which may accumulate upon the head during its operation within the can. The head is carried by a plunger rod 88 guided in arms 89 of a standard 90 extending upwardly from and suitably secured upon the base 10. The plunger is limited in its upward movement by the throw of the cam 102, the bottom of the plunger when in its highest position being slightly above the table 40 so that should any portion of the material stick to the lower face of the plunger, it will be wiped off by the rotary table 40 and discharged back into the can from which it was withdrawn by the plunger. The plunger has secured thereon collars 91 and 91 for limiting the travel on the plunger of a sleevelike member 92 having depending links 93 connected with the forks 9a of an operating lever 95 pivoted at 96 to an arm 97 on a bracket 98 extend ng upwardly from and suitably secured to the base 10, Figs. 3, 4: and 5. The collar 91 is fixed while the collar 91 is adjustable to vary the stroke of the plunger and consequently the depth to which it will descend within the can. The shorter end of the lever is pivotally connected with a vertically disposed rod 99 suitably guided by the base and projecting downwardly therethrough and having a roller 100 on its lower end operating in a cam groove 101 of a cam disk 102 secured on and driven by the horizontal shaft 66. Operation of the rod and lever is properly timed to lower the plunger head into the can during the period at which it remains in registry with the discharge opening 34 of the table 25 for supporting the rotary transfer cylinders which receive the materials from the hopper 16.

In order to effect the proper discharge of the material from the hopper, an agitator indicated generally at 103 and comprising a bent rod is operated within the hopper, the rod having an enlarged head 104 forming a plunger disposed centrally of the hopper and also having laterally projecting arms 105. Movement of the head and laterally projecting arms up and down within the material will agitate the same to prevent it from clogging within the hopper, while movement of the plunger head forces the material down into the hopper and insures its discharge therefrom through the outlet tube 15 into the measuring cylinders operating below the latter. The outer leg of the bent rod extends downwardly through the side wall of the hopper and has its lower end connected with a pair of arms 100, Fig. 1, projecting laterally from the rod 99 provided for actuating the plunger operating lever 95.

The base 10 has secured thereon at one side a laterally projecting frame or support 107 in which is journalled the shaft 62 carrying the can positioning member 03.

Means for guiding and delivering the cans to the support is suitably connected with the outer end of the latter and is preferably in the form of an outwardly and upwardly extending chute, the lower section of which is indicated generally at 108, Fig. l, the upper section, not shown, extending to any desired height and to which the cans may be fed by hand or by a suitable conveyor as preferred. The chute is constructed of top and bottom guard rails 109 and 110 respectively and opposite pairs of upper and lower side rails 112 and 113 respectively. The several side rails are connected at their outer ends by a. rectangular frame 114 and at their inner ends by a similar frame 115. The frame 115 has its lower portion bolted to the outer end of the support 107 and its upper portion secured to a horizontally disposed member 116 carried by an inverted yoke-shaped member 117, the extremities of which are suitably secured to the opposite side of the support 107. Overlying the support 107 are oppositely spaced guard rails 118 for the cans, the outer ends of said rails being supported by the side portions of the yoke 117 and the inner ends of which are held by a second inverted yokeshaped member 119 suitably secured to the support 107. Guide strips 120 and 121 are carried on opposite sides of the support 107 for engagement with the bottom portions of the cans to direct the cans during advancement by the positioning member 63 in substantially a straight path into the pockets or openings of the rotary can feeding disks 36 and 37, Figs. 3 and 4. The cans within the chute 108 will be fed downwardly by the action of gravity into the position shown in Fi s. 1 and 3. The upstanding portion 62' o the positioning member is adapted to engage the cans and to advance them between 5 the guide strips and during the advancing periods the cans will be received in the pocket or recessed portion 63 of the positioning member as shown in Fig. 14 and delivered .to the pockets of the rotary feeder driven by shaft 35. As the positioning member continues to rotate its peripheral edge will prevent the next succeeding can from moving to the position shown in Fig. 3 until the portion 64", whichhas a shorter radius than the remainin portion of the disk, approaches the position shown in this figure, at which time clearance is afforded to permit said next succeeding can to be urged into position to be'engaged by the portion 62. Y Y

The positioning member 63 rests upon the top of a bearing member 122 which in turn rests upon the top of the support 107, the

bearing member being keyed to the s rocket shaft 62 which is journalled in a brac et 123 depending upon the support, Fig. 9. The bearing 122 carries a spring pressed driving pin 124 for the positioning member, which will be automatically depressed to release the latter should it become ammed or overloaded, whereby to prevent rupture or breaking of the parts. i

As before stated, the driving shaft 62 for the positionin member carries a sprocket 61 driven by the c ain 60 which in turn is driven by the sprocket 59 on shaft 55, Fig. 6, shaft 55'being driven by the horizontal shafts 66 grnd 776 and the gearing connecting the same,

Means is provided, as previously stated, which will operate in the event a can fails to enter the pocket 63 of the positioning member to automatically stop rotation of the transfer cylinders 2122 by discontinuing operation of the shaft 27 and gears 82 and 84 for driving the same. In this connection the driving gear 84, which is loosely mounted on shaft 35, carries one or more upstanding lugs 125, Fig. 2, arranged to engage one or more of a number of depending lugs 126 formed on the bottom of a clutch element 127 which is slidably keyed on shaft 35 and shown in driving position in Figs. 5 and 17 and in release position in Fig. 2. The clutch element is operated by a lever 128 rotatably supporting the same, the lever being pivoted on the horizontal shaft 66, and havlng on its outer end 128 an adjustably "mounted counterweight 129. The opposite end of the lever carries an upstanding rod 130, the upper end of which is pivotally connected with an arm 131 secured on a rock shaft 132. one end of which is journalled in a depending portion 133 of the support 107 and the other in abracket 134 also depending from the support.

The rock shaft is provided with a bevel gear 135 meshing with a similar gear 136 on a vertically disposed shaft '137 journalled in a bearing 138 carried by the support- 107. The upper end of shaft 137 carries an arm 139 adapted for movement by a can from the dotted line position shown in Fig. 13 to the full line position shown in Fig. 14 for the purpose of resetting the clutch in operating position as shown in Fig. 5 whenever it has been previously released by a dog 140 rotating with the positioning member. This will occur upon failure of a can to enter the pocket 63 of the positioning member. The dog 140 is pivoted at 141 on the rotary bearin .122 for supporting the positioning member, igs. 10 and 11. The dog has its upper end normally held by a spring 142 in engagement with an abutment 143 on the rotary member as shown in Fig. 9. This position of the dog is that which it occupies when there is no can within the pocket of the positioning member. In such position, a projection 144 on the lower end of the dog lies in the path of the upper end of a lever 145 fixed on a pivoted member 146, the opposite ends of which are journalled in bearings 147 carried by the support107. The upper end of the lever 145 projects through a slot in the support 107 and its lower end is pivotally connected with a link 148 which in turn is connected with an arm 149 fixed on shaft 132. Since the projection 144 extends in the path of the lever 145 when there is no can within the pocket 63 it will be seen that upon rotation of the can positioning element the lever 145 will be swung about its axis to exert an upward pull on the clutch release lever 128 which will be moved from the position shown in Fig. 1 to that shown in Fig. 2, in which last mentioned position the clutch lever will be held by the counter balance 129, the same being of sufficient weight to slightly overbalance the parts on the operating end of the lever when it has been raised to the position shown in Fig. 2. However, upon movement of a can into the pocket 63" to the position shown in Figs. 11 and 14, the dog 140 will be swung by the can to the position shown in Fig. 11. In this position the projection 144 will clear the upper end of the trip lever 145, thus permitting the clutch lever to remain in the lower operating position shown in Figs. 1 and 5 so thatthe clutch element 127 will drive gears 84 and 82, the latter serving to drive shaft 27 which in turn drives the transfer cylinders 2122 to transfer the materials from the hopper to the cans, advanced to the filling station by the rotary feeder described above. i fhenever the clutch lever has been raised to the position shown in Fig. 1 by the action of the. dog 140, it will be subsequently released and lowered by the outward swinging of the arm 139 from the dotted line position-shown in Fig. 13 through movement of a can by the positioning member toward the rotary can ha l , livered to the cans upon operation feeder. The outward swing of the arm will rock shafts 131 and 132, thus causing arm 13 to de ress rod 130 to lower the clutch lever and the clutch element thereon to operating position with respect to the gear 84, loosely mounted on the indexing shaft 35 which is constantly operated b shaft 55 and the operating connections t erefor, as explained above. Thus it will be seen that the indexing mechanism serves to operate both the can positionin element and the rotary can feeder, the ositioning element making one revolution or each can holding pocket of the rotary feeder, of which there are five in the present instance.

As a safety means for preventing rupture of one or more parts of the clutch control mechanism, which might result from afailure .of the upper and lower driving lugs of the clutch to become properly engaged on lowering the clutch lever 128, the rod 130 is free to slide in the end of the lever a limited amount. For example, should the upper driving lugs 126, upon lowering the clutch element, strike upon the upper surfaces of the lower lugs 125 on the gear 84, the collar 150 on the rod would at this time move into en-' gagement with and compress the spring 151 .a certain amount to store u energy therein suflicient to exert a quick ownward movement of the clutch lever and element 127 thereon as soon as the latter is rotated by the indexing mechanism to a point to rmit of 2 such downward movement. In this manner the spring will insure proper engagement the clutch operation t position to be tripped arts and upon com e lever 145 will again project into by the dog 140 should a can fail to enter the pocket of the positioning member for any subsequent revolution thereof.

In the operation of the machine the hopper is first filled with the materials to be deor other containers and of he main drive shaft 76, motion willbe transmitted to the indexin mechanism through rotation of shafts 66 an 55, whereby rotary motion will be imparted through shaft to the rotary can feeder em bodying the upper and lower disks 36 and 37, having the five can receiving pockets therein. At the same time the can receiving table 72 on shaft 71 will begin rotation, being driven from shaft through gears 69 and 70 shown in Fig. 7. Shaft 55 will also drive the can positioning member 63 on shaft 62 through the medium of the sprocket and chain drive shown in Fig. 6, itbeing understood that the ositioning member will have one rotation or each can receiving pocket of the rotary feeder. As before stated, the cans within the chute 108 will be successively advanced under the action of gravity into position to be engaged by the portion 62" of the positioning member and as the latter continues to ro- 1 63 and will be carried f vancing pletion of this P tate the can will be received within the ket forward and orced into whichever pocket of the rotary feeder is in alinement with the can guideway on the support 107 upon which the can is moved and from which it is advanced onto the inclined receiving plates 38. From this position the can is advanced along the inclined surface 39', Fig. 18, and is brought to rest at the filling station in registry with the discharge opening 34 of the stationary table 35 and directly beneath one of the guide tubes 41 driven by the rotary feeder shaft 35, Fig. 8.

During the step by step advancement of the rotary can feeder the measuring cylinders 21-22 will likewise be rotated by the shaft 27, the gear 82 of which is driven by the clutch driven gear 84 on the rotary can feeder shaft 35, the latter being operated b the indexing mechanism, as described a ove. Themeasuring cylinders, as will be understood, are successively positioned beneath the hopper outlet tube 15, Fig. 5, and will b a step by step movement transfer and discharge their contents to the cans successively presented at the filling station. The cans with the contents therein are successively advanced to the acking station, at which the plunger head 87 is lowered into the can by its operating lever and actuating cam therefor on the horizontal drive shaft 66, Fig. 7, the timing being such as to move the plunger head into and out of the can while it is at rest within the rotary feeder between the adperiods of the latter. When the lunger head is withdrawn from the can, the indexing mechanism will again advance the rotary can .feeder which will discharge the cans upon the receiving table 72 driven in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 3. The cans may be discharged b the table 72 upon a suitable conveyor not shown, or may be removed by hand if preferred.

The agitator 0 rating within the hopper is reciprocated t erein by the plunger rod 99 which operates the lever for actuating the packing plunger whereby the contents of the hopper are prevented from clogging.

Release of the clutch to prevent rotation of the transfer cylinders is automatically effected by the trippingaction of the pivoted dog 140 when for any reason a can fails to enter the pocket of the positioning element to move the dog to inoperative position. In this case the contents both of the hopper and transfer cylinders will be prevented from discharging therefrom since rotation of the cylinders is immediately discontinued upon release of the clutch by the trip lever when the latter is engaged by the dog driven by the shaft on which the positioning member is mounted. When the clutch is raised to release position by the link and lever arrangement shown in Fig. 2, through the action of the rotating dog, it will be held in such position by the adjustable counterweight on one end of the lever which serves to slightly overbalance the parts on the opposite end thereof. Vhen a can again enters the recessed portion of the positioning member it will move the dog to inoperative position and during initial advancement will engage and swing the arm 139 outwardly whereby to effect lowering of the clutch lever and the clutch thereon into driving engagement with gear 84 for driving the transfer cylinders 21-22.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a machine for measuring and transferring materials to containers, the combination of a holder for'the material provided with an outlet, measuring receptacles movable into registry with the outlet and subsequently to a filling station at which they are adapted to discharge their contents, means for moving the receptacles to and from said outlet and said filling station, guide and overflow tubes movable into registry with said receptacles at the filling station, means for moving the containers and said guide and overflow tubes to the filling station in position to receive the contents dischar ed by the receptacles and a single plunger he'ad operating to successively engage each of the filled containers to pack the material thereinto.

2. In a machine for transferring materials to containers, the combination of a holder for the materials provided with an outlet, a plurality of vertically disposed open ended transfer receptacles, a closure element for the lower ends of the receptacles on which the latter are adapted to travel, said closure element having a dischargeopening therethrough, means for moving the receptacles into registry with said outlet and said discharge opening, guide and overflow tubes movable into registry with said receptacles at the filling station advancing means for the containers and the guide and overflow tubes timed to position them beneath the closure element in alinement with said opening when the receptacles are in registry therewith and a single plunger head operating to individually, and successively engage each of the filled containers and pack the material. thereinto.

3. In a machine for measuring and transferring materials to containers, the combination of a holder for the materials having an outlet, a rotary feeder for advancing the containers to and from a predetermined station, said feeder having a plurality of container receiving pockets, 'a. rotary transfer device mounted eccentrically to said rotary feeder for successively conveying the mat rials from the outlet to the containers at said station guide and overflow tubes movable into registry with said transfer device at said station, rotary positioning member haxing a container advancing port on arranged to advance the containers successively into the pockets of the feeder at :1 predetermined point, means containers, subsequent for guiding the containers into a predetermined position to be engaged by the advancing portion of the positioning member and driving means for said feeder and said transfer device and said positioning member.

4. In a. machine for measuring and transferring materials to containers, the combination of a holder for the materialprovided with an outlet, measuring receptacles movable in a circular path into registry with the;

outletand subsequently to a filling station at which they are adapted to discharge their contents, rotary means for moving the receptacles to and from said outlet and said filling station and rotary means for moving the containers to the filling station in a rotary path eccentric to the path of said receptacles and in position to receive the contents discharged by the receptacles and for subsequently moving them to a second station and means entering succssively each of the containers for packing the materials within. the containers at said second station.

5. In a machine for transferring" materials to containers, the combination of a holder for the materials provided with an outlet, a plurality of vertically disposed open ended transfer receptacles, a closure element for the lower ends of the receptacles on which the latter are adapted to travel, said closure element having a discharge opening therethrough, means for moving the receptacles into registry with said outlet and said discharge opening, guide and overflow tubes movable into registry with said dischar e opening, operating means for positioning the containers beneath the closure element in alinement with said opening to receive the contents discharged from the receptacles through said guide and overflow tubes, and means for successively entering each of the containers through said guide and overflow tubes to exert pressure upon the materials within the containers and pack the material in the overflow tubes into said containers.

6. In a machine for transferring materiais to containers, the combination of a holder for the materials having an outlet, a plurality of vertically disposed and circularly arranged open ended transfer receptacles, a closure element for the lower ends of the receptacles on which the latter are arranged to travel, said closure element having a discharge opening therethrough. mechanism for successively moving the receptacles into registry with said outlet and said discharge opening, a rotary feeder for the containers mounted eccentrically to the movement of said receptacles and arranged to operate beneath the closure element to successively advance the containers into registry with said discharge opening, a plunger operating to successively enter each container for packing the material within the to movement of the same from said discharge opening, and means for operating said mechanism and said feeder and plunger.

7. In a machine for transferring materials to containers, the combination of a holder for the materials having an outlet, a plurality of vertically disposed open ended transfer receptacles, a closure element for the lower ends of the receptacles on which the latter are arranged to travel, said closure element having a discharge opening therethrough, mechanism for successively moving the receptacles into registry with said outlet and said discharge openin a rotary feeder for the containers arange to operate beneath the closure element to successively advance the containers into registry with said discharge opening, a plunger for acking the material within the container su sequent to movement of the same from said discharge opening, means for operating said mechanism and said feeder and plunger, a combined plunger head and agitator operable within the holder, a member operatively connecting said plunger wit said combined plun er head and agitator.

8. In a machine or measurin and transferrin materials to containers, t e combination 0 a holder for the materials having an outlet, a base plate spaced beneath the outlet and having a discharge opening therein, a plurality of open ended measuring receptacles rotatably mounted upon the base plate adapted to convey the material from the outlet and to discharge it through said opening, a rotary feeder mounted eccentrically to said receptacles and having a plurality of container receiving pockets, a guide tube overlying each pocket, means for rotating the feeder to successively position the containers and guide tubes in registry with said discharge opening, aving a surface on which the containers are adapted to rest during advancement into registry with said opening, said surface being inclined in a manner to cause the container to be slightly raised during advancement into registry with said opening whereby the upper end of the container is brought into close proximity to the lower edge of the guide tube thereabove, operating means for the measuring receptacles timed to present them over said discharge opening while the containers are in receiving position therebeneath and a plunger adapted to enter each of the containers thru said guide tubes.

9. In a machine for measuring and transferring materials to containers, the combination of a holder for the materials having an outlet, a rotary feeder for successively advancing the containers to and from a predetermined station, a transfer device for successively conveying predetermined quantities of the material from the outlet to the containers at said station, actuating mechanism for said transfer device, a positioning device for delivering the containers to saic h mechanism,

feeder, means carried by the positioning device for rendering the actuating mechanism inoperative upon failure of the ositioning device to properly receive and a vance the containers to the feeder, said means being rendered inactive by the containers when in position to be advanced by the positioning evfce, and driving means for the feeder and positioning device, said driving means being operatively connected with the actuating mechanism.

10. In a machine for measuring and transferring materials to containers, the combination of a/holder for the material having an outlet, container advancing mechanism for successively moving the containers to a predetermined station, a transfer device for successively conveying the material in measu quantities from the outlet to the containers at said station, actuating mechanism for said transfer device, positioning mechanism for delivering the containers to the advancing control means carried by and cooperating with said positioning mechanism for effecting release of the actuating mechanism upon failure of the passage of a container to a predetermined point with respect to the positioning mechanism, said control means including a member arranged to be actuated by a container when moving to said point whereby to render the control means ineffective, and driving means for said mechamsms.

11. In a machine for measuring and transferring materials to containers, the combination of a holder for the material having an outlet, container advancing mechanism for successivel moving the containers to a predetermin station, a transfer device for successively conveying the material from the outlet to the containers at said station releasable actuating mechanism for said transfer device, positioning mechanism for delivering the containers to the advancing mechanism, control means carried by and coo erating with said positioning mechanism or effecting release of the actuating mechanism upon failure of the passage of a container to a predetermined point with respect to the positionin mechanism, said control means being rent ered ineffective by the passage of a container to saidpoint,driving means for said mechanisms, means for discharging the containers to the positioning mechanism, and means for receiving and moving the containers from the advancing mechanism, said means being operated by said driving means.

12. In a machine ferrin g materials to containers, the combination of a holder for the material having an outlet, container advancing mechanism for successivel moving the containers to a predetermine station, a transfer device for successively conveying the material from the l outlet to the containers at said station, actuatfor measuring and trans-' ing mechanism for said transfer device including a clutch, positioning mechanism for delivering the containers to the advancing mechanism, control means carried by and cooperating with said positioning mechanism for effecting release of the clutch upon failure of the passage of a container to a predetermined point with respect to the positioning mechanism, said control means including a member arranged to be actuated by a container when moving to said point Whereby to render the control means ineffective, driving means for said mechanisms, means for delivering the containers to the postioning mechanism, and means for receiving and moving the containers from the advancing mechanism, said means being operated by said driving means.

13. In a machine for measuring and trans,- ferring materials to containers, the combination of a holder for the materials having an outlet, container advancing mechanism for successively moving the containers to and from a predetermined station, a transfer device for successively conveying the material from the outlet to the containers at said station, actuating mechanism for said transfer device, positioning mechanism for delivering the containers to the advancing mechanism, a part movable with said positioning mechanism, control means for said actuating mechanism adapted to be operated by said movable part to render the actuating mechanism inoperative when a container fails to occupy a predetermined position with respect to the positioning mechanism during operation thereof, the presence of a container at said predetermined position serving to hold said part at inoperative position, and driving means for said mechanisms.

14:. In a machine for measuring and transferring materials to containers, the combination of a holder for the materials having an outlet, a rotary feeder for advancing the containers to and from a predetermined station, said feeder having a plurality of container receiving ockets, a transfer device for successively elivering the materials from the outlet to the containers at said station, a rotary positioning member having a container advancing portion arranged to advance the containers successively into the pockets of the feeder at a predetermined point, means for guiding the containers into a predetermined position to be engaged by the advancing portion of the positioning member, driving mechanism for said feeder and positioning member, operating means for said transfer device releasably connected with a portion of said driving mechanism, and means controlled by the positioning member arranged to release the transfer operating means upon failure of a container to reach said predetermined position for advancement by said positioning member.

15. In a machine for measuring and transferring materials to containers, the combination of a holder for the materials provided with an outlet, a base plate secured beneath the outlet in spaced relation thereto and having a discharge opening therethrough disposed off center with respect to the outlet, a plurality of open ended measuring receptacles mounted upon the base plate for a step by step movement successively into registry with the outlet and the discharge opening, a series of guide and overflow tubes adapted to register with the outlet and discharge opening, cooperating mechanisms for advancing the receptacles and the containers with said guide tubes to successively effect alinement of the same one with another in registry with said opening, control means for one of said mechanisms operating upon failure of a container to occupy a predetermined position with respect to the other to render it inoperative whereby to discontinue movement of the receptacles to said opening, a plunger head held suspended over the path of said guide tubes at a pointlremote from said outlet and discharge opening and means for operating said plunger to successively enter each of said guide tubes and the container located beneath it.

16. In a machine for measuring and transferring materials to containers, the combination of a holder for the material having an outlet, container advancing mechanism for successively moving the containers to a predetermined station, a transfer device for successively conveying the material from the outlet to the containers at said station, actuating mechanism for said transfer device including a clutch, positioning mechanism for delivering the containers to the advancing mechanism, control means for efieoting release of the clutch upon failure of the passage of a container to a predetermined point with respect to the positioning mechanism, said control means including a member arranged to be actuated-by the container when moving to said point whereby to render the control means inefi'ective, means responsive to the movement of a container to the advanciing mechanism for resetting the control means to effect reengagement of the clutch subsequent to a previous release thereof by the control means, and driving means for said mechanisms.

17. In a machine for measuring and transferring materials to containers, the combination of a holder for the materials having an outlet, a rotary feeder for advancing the containers to and from a predetermined station, said feeder having a plurality of container receiving pockets, a transfer device for successively delivering the materials from the outlet to the containers at said station,

' a rotary positioning member, container ad- 

